Climate
Spain has three different climate zones with noticeable differences in both temperature and precipitation.
North
To the north, which in this context is defined as north of the Cantabrian mountains, the regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country have a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The weather is often cloudy with frequent rainfall all year round.
Central Plateau
The interior regions of Castille and Leon, Navarre, Rioja, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Madrid have a continental climate with hot, dry summers, and cold winters. In the mountainous regions around this central plateau, can receive heavy snowfall in winter. Madrid, the capital usually gets about one day of snow per year, but no more than that. Subzero-temperatures during the day is not common in winter in Madrid. In the mountains to the north of the city, there is more precipitation in winter and lower temperatures which can result in heavy snowfalls as early as in October. Madrid normally experiences a dramatic turn in climate with next to no transition from summer to winter. Weather in spring, especially April and May, can be unpredictable with heavy showers and sudden drops in temperature.
Mediterranean
On the Mediterranean side, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, The Balearic Islands, Murcia, and Andalusia have a moderate maritime climate with warm summers and mild winters, and rainfall in spring and autumn. Temperatures are not as high as in the interior in summer, nor as wet as in the north, making the Mediterranean side the safest bet for foreign tourists in search of surf and sun in summer.
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